Nicolas Tagliafico ‘to clear medical’ as West Ham eye free transfer
West Ham, Everton and Sevilla are reportedly among the clubs keen on signing Nicolas Tagliafico this summer.
Dr Rajpal Brar, an injury expert, has assessed the Argentina international’s fitness record ahead of a potential transfer.
The 32-year-old is now a free agent after his contract at Lyon ran out at the end of June.
Tagliafico expected to pass his medical despite lower body injuries
While the Hammers may look at his lower body injuries, he is not expected to face issues clearing his medical, according to Dr Brar.
West Ham have made contact with Tagliafico, expressing their interest in securing his services. (Estadio Deportivo, 7 July)
| Nicolas Tagliafico’s 2024/25 Ligue 1 statistics | Total |
| Appearances | 24 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Touches | 68.2 |
| Accurate passes | 42.8 (88%) |
| Clean sheets | 5 |
Speaking exclusively with West Ham Zone, Dr Brar, a specialist in Physical Therapy and a Sports Scientist, said: “They may take a closer look at his recent history of lower body injuries to assess the risk of recurrence and determine if there are any outlier or high-risk issues.
“He did play the majority of games last season and did not appear to have his minutes restricted.
“While there is some risk in this deal, I do not expect an issue with his medical.”
Graham Potter can get the best out of Tagliafico at West Ham
To maximise Tagliafico’s potential at West Ham, Graham Potter should leverage the Argentine’s attacking instincts and defensive tenacity within a flexible tactical setup.
Deploying him as a left wing-back in a 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-1-2 formation, as Potter often used at Brighton, would allow the 32-year-old World Cup winner to utilise his relentless energy and crossing ability.
Potter may encourage Tagliafico to push forward, creating overloads on the left flank alongside players like Jarrod Bowen or Lucas Paqueta, while relying on his defensive discipline to recover against pacey wingers.
Integrating him into high-intensity pressing schemes, a hallmark of Potter’s philosophy, will suit Tagliafico’s aggressive style.
Regular communication and trust-building, as Potter did with Brighton’s squad, will ensure Tagliafico adapts quickly, as it will take him some weeks to get used to the conditions.
With tailored training to maintain his stamina, Potter can make the 32-year-old a key component in the London Stadium outfit’s attacking and defensive transitions.
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